Ink cartridge, ink cartridge chip, and short-circuit detection method of chip

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an ink cartridge, ink cartridge chip, and short-circuit detection method of chip. The ink cartridge chip comprises: a short-circuit detection terminal, which is disposed between a connecting terminal to be detected and one or more connecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; a short-circuit detection and processing unit, which is connected to a voltage division and power supply unit and one or more connecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; and a voltage division and power supply unit, which is connected to the short-circuit detection and processing unit and the connecting terminal to be detected, for dividing voltage from the connecting terminal to be detected and transmitting an obtained low voltage to the short-circuit detection and processing unit. The present disclosure is able to reduce costs and satisfy long-term use of short-circuit detection in the ink cartridge chips.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/606,966, filed on May 26, 2017, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2014/073323, filed on Mar. 12, 2014,which claims the priority to and benefits Chinese Patent Application No.201310734008.6, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of thePeople's Republic of China (SIPO) on Dec. 26, 2013, the content of allof which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the detection technology for chips inrecording devices and, in particular, to a short-circuit self-detectiontechnology of chips.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Recording devices such as printers, copying machines, and facsimilemachines, are used to record information on recording media such aspaper by means of recording materials such as ink. A recording devicecomprises a body, and an ink cartridge mounted detachably in therecording device. To ensure that the recording device is able to detectfitness of the ink cartridge within it, the ink cartridge is usuallyprovided with a chip mounted detachably on the ink cartridge. The chipcomprises a storage unit, for storing related information about the inkcartridge. When the ink cartridge is arranged on the recording device,the chip of the ink cartridge is electrically connected to the recordingdevice, and exchanges data with the body of the recording device.Specifically, the chip of the ink cartridge is electrically connected tothe body of the recording device through terminals, each of theterminals being connected to the storage unit of the chip.

Since the chip comprises at least two terminals electrically connectedto the recording device, and there is a potential difference betweenthese terminals while the chip is being used, there might be liquid ordust falling between the two terminals having a potential differencetherebetween, for example, between a power supply terminal and a groundterminal, thereby leading to a short circuit and causing damage to thestorage unit.

In addition, besides the storage unit, the ink cartridge is alsoprovided with other devices such as a high-voltage circuit with avoltage higher than the driving voltage of the storage unit, apiezoelectric sensor or an induction coil, a resistor, etc. In thiscase, short circuits will probably occur between terminals of one of thedevices and terminals of another device, thus potentially damaging theink cartridge or the recording device.

Therefore, in order to prevent the ink cartridge or the recording devicefrom being damaged, it may be necessary to detect occurrence of theabove-said short circuit in advance.

According to an existing technology of detecting short circuit of chips,the recording device is provided with a short-circuit detection circuit,which judges presence of a short circuit between terminals of the chipby detecting a voltage change on a device-side terminal. However, saiddetection is performed after the ink cartridge has finished theinstallation detection on the recording device, at which time, the shortcircuit is detected, but the storage unit might have been damaged, thusrendering the ink cartridge unusable. Moreover, the above short-circuitdetection circuit is provided on the recording device, and therefore,for those recording devices that have already been in the market and arenot provided with a short-circuit detection circuit, there will still bedifficulties in detecting the short circuit timely, thereby damaging theink cartridge or the recording device.

According to another existing technology of detecting short circuit ofchips, the chip is provided with a battery and a short-circuit detectioncircuit. The battery supplies power to the short-circuit detectioncircuit so that short circuit detection of the chip can be performed.After the ink cartridge is arranged in the recording device, the chip iselectrically connected to the recording device. Presence of a shortcircuit between terminals is thus judged by detecting a voltage changeon a short-circuit detection terminal of the chip, or by detecting asignal change between the short-circuit detection terminal and aterminal to be detected of the chip. However, according to this existingtechnology, the short circuit detection can only be performed byproviding the chip with a battery, which will increase the manufacturingcost of the chips, and will give rise to the problem that the shortcircuit detection cannot be performed when the battery runs out after along-term use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a low-costand durable ink cartridge, ink cartridge chip, and short-circuitdetection method of chip capable of preventing electric elements of theink cartridge from being damaged due to short circuits of connectingterminals.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present disclosureprovides an ink cartridge chip comprising a circuit board, which isprovided with a plurality of connecting terminals in contact connectionwith device-side terminals when the ink cartridge chip is mounted to therecording device. The ink cartridge chip further comprises: ashort-circuit detection terminal which is entirely or partially disposedbetween a connecting terminal to be detected and one or more connectingterminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected; ashort-circuit detection and processing unit which is connected to avoltage division and power supply unit and one or more than oneconnecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected.The voltage division and power supply unit is connected to theshort-circuit detection and processing unit and the connecting terminalto be detected, for dividing a voltage from the voltage applied on theconnecting terminal to be detected, and transmitting the obtained lowvoltage to the short-circuit detection and processing unit.

Further, the short-circuit detection and processing unit judges presenceof a short circuit between the connecting terminals of the ink cartridgechip based on the potential difference of the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal to be detected, or based on thepotential difference of at least two short-circuit detection terminals,and executes short-circuit abnormality processing if a short circuit isdetermined.

Besides, the short-circuit detection and processing unit is further usedto judge whether the potential difference between the short-circuitdetection terminal and the connecting terminal to be detected is lessthan a predetermined value, or whether the potential of theshort-circuit detection terminal and the potential of the connectingterminal to be detected are equal to each other, or, judge whether thepotential difference between the at least two short-circuit detectionterminals is less than a predetermined value, or whether the potentialsof the at least two short-circuit detection terminals are equal.

Further, the short-circuit detection and processing unit is electricallyconnected to more than one of the connecting terminals other than theconnecting terminal to be detected. When a short circuit is determined,the short-circuit detection and processing unit cuts off an electricconnection between at least two of the more than one connectingterminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected, or connectsat least two of the more than one connecting terminals other than theconnecting terminal to be detected to the ground.

Further, the more than one connecting terminals other than theconnecting terminal to be detected include two installation detectionconnecting terminals of the ink cartridge chip. The short-circuitdetection and processing unit is disposed in series connection betweenthe two installation detection connecting terminals, and is further usedto cut off the electric connection between the two installationdetection connecting terminals, or to connect the two installationdetection connecting terminals to the ground when a short circuit isdetermined.

Besides, the short-circuit detection and processing unit may further beconnected to a low-voltage electric element of the ink cartridge chip.The short-circuit detection and processing unit may further be used tocut off an electric connection between the low-voltage electric elementand one or any of the more than one connecting terminals other than theconnecting terminal to be detected when a short circuit is determined.

In addition, the short-circuit detection and processing unit may furthercomprise a detection unit and a controllable switch. The controllableswitch comprises a first field effect transistor, and the detection unitcomprises a second field effect transistor. The first field effecttransistor is connected, at an input end and an output end thereof, totwo connecting terminals of the ink cartridge chip other than theconnecting terminal to be detected respectively, or to one connectingterminal of the ink cartridge chip other than the connecting terminal tobe detected and the low-voltage electric element respectively, or, isconnected, at the input end thereof, to two connecting terminals of theink cartridge chip other than the connecting terminal to be detected, orto one connecting terminal of the ink cartridge chip other than theconnecting terminal to be detected and the low-voltage electric elementand meanwhile to the ground at the output end thereof. A control end ofthe first field effect transistor is connected to the ground through aresistance-capacitance circuit. The second field effect transistor isconnected to the short-circuit detection terminal at a control endthereof, and to the connecting terminal to be detected at an input endthereof. An output end of the second field effect transistor isconnected to the control end of the first field effect transistor and tothe ground through the resistance-capacitance circuit.

Besides, the voltage division and power supply unit may further comprisea parallel circuit formed by a third resistor and a second capacitor.The parallel circuit is connected to the ground at one end thereof, andto a second resistor and the short-circuit detection terminalrespectively at the other end thereof. The second resistor is connectedto the connecting terminal to be detected.

Further, the ink cartridge chip may comprise two or more than twoshort-circuit detection terminals. The voltage division and power supplyunit is connected to each of the short-circuit detection terminals andthe connecting terminal to be detected respectively, and supplies eachof the low voltages obtained through division of the voltage applied onthe connecting terminal to be detected step-by-step to each of theshort-circuit detection terminals respectively by means of a voltagedivision circuit.

Besides, the short-circuit detection terminals may further include afirst short-circuit detection terminal and a second short-circuitdetection terminal, and the voltage division and power supply unitfurther includes a first voltage division circuit and a second voltagedivision circuit. The first voltage division circuit divides a voltagefrom the connecting terminal to be detected, and supplies an obtainedfirst low voltage to the first short-circuit detection terminal, and thesecond voltage division circuit divides the voltage from the connectingterminal to be detected, and supplies an obtained second low voltage tothe second short-circuit detection terminal.

In addition, the short-circuit detection and processing unit may furthercomprise a detection unit and a controllable switch. The controllableswitch comprises a first field effect transistor, which is connected, atan input end and an output end thereof, to two connecting terminals ofthe ink cartridge chip other than the connecting terminal to bedetected, or to a connecting terminal other than the connecting terminalto be detected and the low-voltage electric element of the ink cartridgechip, or, is connected, at the input end thereof, to two connectingterminals of the ink cartridge chip other than the connecting terminalto be detected, or to one connecting terminal of the ink cartridge chipother than the connecting terminal to be detected and the low-voltageelectric element, and meanwhile to the ground at the output end thereof.A control end of the first field effect transistor is connected to theground through a resistance-capacitance circuit. The detection unitfurther comprises a second field effect transistor which is connected tothe first short-circuit detection terminal at a control end thereof, andto the second short-circuit detection terminal at an input end thereof.An output end of the second field effect transistor is connected to thecontrol end of the first field effect transistor and to the groundthrough the resistance-capacitance circuit.

Further, the first voltage division circuit comprises a firstresistance-capacitance circuit and a resistor. The firstresistance-capacitance circuit is connected to the ground at one endthereof, and to said resistor (R12) of the first voltage divisioncircuit and the first short-circuit detection terminal respectively atthe other end thereof. The second voltage division circuit comprises asecond resistance-capacitance circuit and a resistor. The secondresistance-capacitance circuit is connected to the ground at one endthereof, and to said resistors (R25, R22) of the second voltage divisioncircuit and the second short-circuit detection terminal respectively atthe other end thereof. Said resistor (R12) of the first voltage divisioncircuit and said resistors (R25, R22) of the second voltage divisioncircuit are connected respectively to the connecting terminal to bedetected.

Further, the connecting terminal to be detected is a high-voltageconnecting terminal, and others of the one or more connecting terminalsare low-voltage connecting terminals.

Further, the short-circuit detection terminal is arranged in a linebetween the connecting terminal to be detected and other connectingterminals, or is arranged in annular around the connecting terminal tobe detected. Further, the short-circuit abnormality processing comprisessteps of: cutting off a connection between at least one of the at leasttwo connecting terminals and the low-voltage electric element of the inkcartridge chip; and/or cutting off a connection between two or more ofthe at least two connecting terminals; and/or sending a signalindicating abnormality of the ink cartridge chip to the recordingdevice.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an ink cartridgeis provided. The ink cartridge comprises the ink cartridge chipaccording to the aforesaid technical solutions.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a short-circuitdetection method of chip in an ink cartridge chip is provided. Themethod comprises steps of dividing a voltage applied on a connectingterminal to be detected to obtain one or more low voltages, andtransmitting the low voltages to a short-circuit detection andprocessing unit.

Further, presence of a short circuit between the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal to be detected is judged bydetecting the potential difference of the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal to be detected, or by detecting thepotential difference of two or at least two of the short-circuitdetection terminals. If a short circuit is determined, the short-circuitabnormality processing will be executed.

Further, if a short circuit in the ink cartridge chip is determined, theshort-circuit abnormality processing as follows will be executed. Aconnection between at least one of the at least two connecting terminalsand the low-voltage electric element of the ink cartridge chip is cutoff, and/or a connection between two or more of the at least twoconnecting terminals is cut off, and/or a signal indicating abnormalityof the ink cartridge chip is sent to the recording device.

Compared with existing technologies, one or more of the embodiments ofthe present disclosure has the following advantages. According to thepresent disclosure, presence of a short circuit can be detectedautomatically by the ink cartridge chip side once the ink cartridge ismounted into the recording device, which reduces the possibility thatthe storage unit in the ink cartridge has already been damaged when theshort circuit is detected by the recording device. Besides, forrecording devices that are not provided with a short-circuit detectioncircuit, the safety factor of using the ink cartridge is also increased.Moreover, compared with supplying power by the battery to theshort-circuit detection circuit according to the existing technologies,to divide a voltage by the voltage division and power supply unit andthen transmit the obtained low voltage to the short-circuit detectionand processing unit is able to effectively reduce the cost, solve theproblem that the short-circuit detection cannot be performed after thebattery runs out, and satisfy long-term use of the chip.

Other advantages, objectives, and features of the present disclosurewill be further explained in the following description, and will partlybecome self-evident therefrom, or be understood through theimplementation of the present disclosure. The objectives and advantagesof the present disclosure will be achieved through the structuresspecifically pointed out in the description, claims, and theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are provided for further understanding thepresent disclosure, and constitute a part of the description, and areused to illustrate the present disclosure together with the embodimentsof the present disclosure, rather than restrict the present disclosure.

FIG. 1a schematically shows structure of an ink cartridge applicable toa chip provided in embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1b schematically shows arrangement structure of device-sideterminals of an ink-jet printer applicable to the ink cartridge as shownin FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1c schematically shows a front view of structure of the chipprovided in embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1d schematically shows a side view of structure of the chipprovided in embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1e schematically shows structure of a circuit of the chip providedin embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1f schematically shows structure of mounting the ink cartridgeapplicable to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure to a correspondingprinter;

FIG. 2a schematically shows structure of an ink cartridge chip accordingto embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2b schematically shows an enlarged view of structure of thedetection terminal in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3a schematically shows connecting terminals of an ink cartridgechip according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3b schematically shows connecting terminals of another inkcartridge chip according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4a schematically shows a front view of structure of a chipaccording to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4b schematically shows a side view of structure of the chipaccording to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4c schematically shows structure of a circuit of the chip accordingto embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 schematically shows structure of a circuit of a short-circuitdetection device of chip according to embodiment 3 of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 schematically shows structure of a circuit of anothershort-circuit detection device of chip according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 schematically shows structure of a circuit of applying anothershort-circuit detection device of chip according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure to a nine-contact chip according to embodiment 1;

FIG. 8 schematically shows structure of a circuit of applying anothershort-circuit detection device of chip according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure to a seven-contact chip according to embodiment 2;

FIG. 9 schematically shows structure of a circuit of a short-circuitdetection and processing unit of a short-circuit detection device ofchip according to embodiment 7 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a short-circuit detection method of chipaccording to embodiment 8 of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 schematically shows structure of a circuit of the short-circuitdetection device of chip according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to theembodiments and the accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand howto solve the technical problem and achieve the technical effects by thetechnical means according to the present disclosure, and thus implementthe same. It should be noted that as long as there is no structuralconflict, any of the embodiments and any of the technical featuresthereof may be combined with one another, and the technical solutionsobtained therefrom all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

The ink cartridge chip according to the present disclosure comprises acircuit board, which is provided with a plurality of connectingterminals in contact connection with device-side terminals when the inkcartridge chip is mounted to the recording device. The ink cartridgechip further comprises a short-circuit detection terminal, ashort-circuit detection and processing unit, and a voltage division andpower supply unit (303, 403).

The short-circuit detection terminal is entirely or partially disposedbetween a connecting terminal to be detected and one or more connectingterminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected. Theshort-circuit detection and processing unit is connected to the voltagedivision and power supply unit and one or more of the connectingterminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected. The voltagedivision and power supply unit is connected to the short-circuitdetection and processing unit, for dividing a voltage from theconnecting terminal to be detected and transmitting an obtained lowvoltage to the short-circuit detection and processing unit.

The supply of power by the voltage division and power supply unit to theshort-circuit detection and processing unit is able to reduce the costof the short-circuit detection of chip and ensure a long-term use of thechip. The short-circuit detection and processing unit of the chipexecutes the short-circuit detection and the short-circuit abnormalityprocessing in the following specific ways:

The short-circuit detection and processing unit judges presence of ashort circuit between the connecting terminals of the ink cartridge chipbased on the potential difference of the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal to be detected, or based on thepotential difference of at least two of the short-circuit detectionterminals, and executes the short-circuit abnormality processing if ashort circuit is determined. More specifically, the short-circuitdetection and processing unit judges presence of a short circuit betweenthe connecting terminals of the ink cartridge chip based on a potentialdifference between at least two of the short-circuit detectionterminals, or based on a potential difference between the short-circuitdetection terminal and the connecting terminal to be detected.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in order tosimplify the description and make the technical solutions be clearlydisplayed, the following embodiments will take an ink-jet printer and anink cartridge thereof only as an example. The technical solutions in thefollowing embodiments also apply to other types of containers forprinting materials and the corresponding recording devices. Similarly,the ink cartridge can also be other types of containers for otherprinting materials, such as a toner container.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1a schematically shows structure of an ink cartridge applicable toa chip provided in the present embodiment. FIG. 1b schematically showsarrangement structure of device-side terminals of an ink-jet printerapplicable to the ink cartridge as shown in FIG. 1a . FIG. 1cschematically shows a front view of structure of the chip provided inthe present embodiment. FIG. 1d schematically shows a side view ofstructure of the chip provided in the present embodiment. FIG. 1eschematically shows structure of a circuit of the chip provided in thepresent embodiment. FIG. 1f schematically shows structure of mountingthe ink cartridge applicable to the present embodiment to acorresponding printer.

As shown in FIG. 1a , the ink cartridge 1 comprises: a body 11, forstoring ink used for printing; an ink supply part 12, which is formed ona bottom wall of the body 11, and is connected to an ink supply tubewhen the ink cartridge 1 is mounted into the ink-jet printer so as todeliver ink in the body 11 to a printing head; an ink cartridge chip 2,which is arranged detachably on an outer wall of the body 11, and isopposite to and electrically connected to a contact mechanism 4 of theprinter as shown in FIG. 1b when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted into theink-jet printer.

As shown in FIG. 1b , the contact mechanism 4 is provided with aplurality of device-side terminals, and in the present embodiment, thereare nine device-side terminals. The nine device-side terminals 410-490in the contact mechanism 4 are arranged in two rows at given intervalsalong and perpendicular to a direction Z of inserting the ink cartridgeinto the printer.

As shown in FIG. 1c , the chip 2 comprises a circuit board 201, which isprovided with a plurality of connecting terminals 210-290 in contactconnection with device-side terminals 410-490 of the body of therecording device. When the circuit board 201 is mounted to the body 11of the ink cartridge, the connecting terminals 210-290 are exposed at anouter surface of the circuit board 201. This outer surface is referredto as a front side of the circuit board, and the surface opposite to thefront side is referred to as a back side of the circuit board. Nineconnecting terminals each are usually configured to have a rectangularshape, and are preferably arranged in two rows at given intervals alongand perpendicular to the direction Z of inserting the ink cartridge intothe printer. The connecting terminals 210-240 in the upper row and theconnecting terminals 250-290 in the lower row are arranged in a staggermanner.

As shown in FIG. 1d , the chip 2 comprises the circuit board 201, astorage unit 202, a resistor element 203, and the connecting terminals210-290. The chip 2 comprises two electrical elements, whichrespectively are, a first electrical element arranged on the circuitboard 201, namely the storage unit 202, and a second electrical elementarranged on the circuit board 201, namely the resistor element 203. Inthe present embodiment, the second electrical element can also be apiezoelectric sensor arranged on the ink cartridge. The storage unit 202can be a storage medium such as EEPROM, RAM+battery, FLASH, etc, mainlyfor storing related information about the ink cartridge such as inkvolume, type of the ink cartridge and so on. When working, the resistorelement 203 is applied a high driving voltage of such as 42V, which ismuch higher than a driving voltage of 3.6V of the storage unit 202. Thechip 2 comprises nine connecting terminals, which respectively are,low-voltage connecting terminals 210-240 and 260-280 connected tolow-voltage electric elements, and high-voltage connecting terminals 250and 290 connected to high-voltage electric elements. Among thelow-voltage connecting terminals 210-240 and 260-280, the low-voltageconnecting terminals 210 and 240 are installation detection terminals,and others are connected respectively to the storage unit 202. Thehigh-voltage connecting terminals 250 and 290 are connected respectivelyto the resistor element 203. The storage unit 202 and the resistorelement 203 are arranged on the back side of the circuit board 201. Thenine connecting terminals 210-290 form a terminal group which isarranged on the front side of the circuit board 201.

As shown in FIG. 1f , when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into theink-jet printer, the chip 2 faces the contact mechanism 4 of the printeras shown in FIG. 1b , and the nine connecting terminals 210-290 of thechip 2 come into contact with and are electrically connected to the ninedevice-side terminals 410-490 of the contact mechanism 4 of the printerin a one-to-one correspondence manner, thereby transmitting signalsbetween the electrical elements and the ink-jet printer.

In order to detect short circuit of chip efficiently and prevent thechip from being damaged, besides the connecting terminals, the circuitboard is further provided with a short-circuit detection terminal, ashort-circuit detection and processing unit, and a voltage division andpower supply unit.

In addition, there can be one or more short-circuit detection terminals,each of which is entirely or partially disposed between a connectingterminal to be detected and other connecting terminals in the circuitboard. The voltage division and power supply unit is used to divide avoltage applied on the connecting terminal to be detected so as toobtain one or more low voltages, and transmit the low voltage to theshort-circuit detection and processing unit so as to supply power to theshort-circuit detection and processing unit. The short-circuit detectionand processing unit is able to judge presence of a short circuit betweenthe short-circuit detection terminal and the connecting terminal to bedetected based on the potential difference of the short-circuitdetection terminal and the connecting terminal to be detected, or basedon the potential difference of more than one of the short-circuitdetection terminals, and execute short-circuit abnormality processing ifa short circuit is determined, so as to prevent the ink cartridge chipfrom being damaged. The short-circuit abnormality processing, forexample, may comprise the steps of: cutting off a connection between theconnecting terminal and the storage unit; and/or cutting off aconnection between at least two connecting terminals; and/or sending asignal indicating abnormality of the ink cartridge chip to the recordingdevice, so that the printer can produce an error report such as“installation abnormality of ink cartridge”, “short circuit of inkcartridge”, etc, thereby stopping the printing. Thus, the user can checkor change the ink cartridge.

Preferably, the connecting terminal to be detected is a high-voltageconnecting terminal. That is, the short-circuit detection terminal isarranged between the low-voltage connecting terminal and thehigh-voltage connecting terminal. In this way, short circuit between thehigh-voltage connecting terminal and the low-voltage connecting terminalcan be particularly detected, thereby preventing the low-voltageelectric element connected to the low-voltage connecting terminal frombeing damaged due to a high voltage.

In addition, the short-circuit detection and processing unit judgespresence of a short circuit between the connecting terminal to bedetected of the ink cartridge chip and other connecting terminals basedon the potential difference of the short-circuit detection terminal andthe connecting terminal to be detected which are both connected to theshort-circuit detection and processing unit, or based on the potentialdifference of a plurality of the short-circuit detection terminalsconnected to the short-circuit detection and processing unit. Morespecifically, the judgment by the short-circuit detection and processingunit is based on voltage difference between the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal to be detected, or based on voltagedifference among a plurality of the short-circuit detection terminals(e.g., whether the voltages are equal). For example, if a potentialdifference between the short-circuit detection terminal and theconnecting terminal to be detected or potential differences among aplurality of the short-circuit detection terminals is less than apredetermined value, or the potentials are the same, it is determinedthat a short circuit exists between the connecting terminals of the inkcartridge chip. Otherwise, short circuit does not exist. If the shortcircuit is determined, the short-circuit abnormality processing will beexecuted.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1e , there is oneshort-circuit detection terminal, namely a short-circuit detectionterminal 301. The voltage division and power supply unit 303 isconnected respectively to the short-circuit detection terminal 301 andthe connecting terminal 250 to be detected, for dividing the voltage of42V applied on the connecting terminal 250 to be detected so as toobtain a low voltage ranging between 0V-38V, and transmitting the lowvoltage to the corresponding short-circuit detection terminal 301,thereby supplying power to the short-circuit detection terminal 301 anda short-circuit detection and processing unit 302. The short-circuitdetection and processing unit 302 is connected respectively to theshort-circuit detection terminal 301 and the connecting terminal 250 tobe detected, and judges presence of a short circuit exists between theshort-circuit detection terminal 301 and the connecting terminal 250 tobe detected based on the potential difference of the short-circuitdetection terminal 301 and the connecting terminal 250 to be detected,and executes the short-circuit abnormality processing if a short circuitis determined.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1e , the short-circuit detection terminal301 is entirely or partially disposed between the connecting terminal250 to be detected and the connecting terminal 210 or 260, and isarranged near the connecting terminal 250 at a preset distance. Beingentirely or partially disposed between the connecting terminal to bedetected and other connecting terminals herein means that the entiretyor part of the short-circuit detection terminal 301 is disposed in astraight line or an arc connecting the connecting terminal 250 to bedetected and the connecting terminal 210 or 260.

The voltage division and power supply unit 303 is connected respectivelyto the short-circuit detection terminal 301 and the connecting terminal250 to be detected, and divides the voltage through a voltage divisioncircuit formed by a resistor and other elements. The voltage divisionand power supply unit 303 divides the voltage of 42V applied on theconnecting terminal 250 to be detected so as to obtain a low voltageranging within 0V-38V, and transmits the low voltage to theshort-circuit detection terminal 301, thereby supplying power to theshort-circuit detection terminal 301 and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit 302.

The short-circuit detection and processing unit 302 is connected to theshort-circuit detection terminal 301 and the connecting terminal 250 tobe detected, and judges presence of a short circuit based on thepotential difference of the short-circuit detection terminal 301 and theconnecting terminal 250 to be detected. The short-circuit detection andprocessing unit 302 is connected to the connecting terminals 210 and240, and executes the short-circuit abnormality processing with respectto the connecting terminals 210 and 240 if a short circuit isdetermined. The short-circuit detection and processing unit can performthe short-circuit detection by using a field-effect transistor or atriode, and execute the short-circuit abnormality processing by using afield-effect transistor, a controllable switch, or a self-recovery fusewire.

The short-circuit abnormality processing may comprise cutting off acircuit between the two installation detection connecting terminals 210and 240 of the chip 2, or disconnecting the connecting terminal of thechip 2 from the storage unit. More specifically, when a short circuit isdetermined, the short-circuit detection and processing unit disconnectsthe storage unit from the connecting terminal to be detected or from anyof the one or more connecting terminals other than the connectingterminal to be detected, or disconnects the connecting terminal from thestorage unit.

Since the connecting terminals 210 and 240 are installation detectionconnecting terminals, after the electric connection therebetween is cutoff, the ink cartridge, when performing the installation detection, willproduce an abnormal response indicating an error of the printer. Theshort-circuit abnormality processing may also be executed by sending a“short circuit signal” to the printer, for warning the printer toperform related processing. The short circuit signal may be an “errorreport” or a “message about the short circuit” recognizable to theprinter.

Inspired by the above technical inspiration, one skilled person in theart should understand that, the short-circuit detection and processingunit 302 can be electrically connected to more than one of theconnecting terminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected,and that when a short circuit is determined, the short-circuitabnormality processing can be executed by cutting off the electricalconnection between at least two of the more than one connectingterminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected, therebyrendering it impossible for the cartridge chip to normally respond tothe recording device. The disconnected two connecting terminals hereinare not limited to the two installation detection connecting terminals.

One skilled person in the art should understand that the short-circuitdetection terminal can be structured to be in any shapes. The above-saidshort-circuit detection terminal may be arranged near the connectingterminal to be detected in any directions. When being arranged in acertain direction, the short-circuit detection terminal may be used fordetecting presence of a short circuit between itself and the connectingterminal in said direction. In a preferred technical solution, to ensurethat the short-circuit detection terminal is able to detect possibleoccurrence of a short circuit between a certain connecting terminal andother connectional terminals in every direction, the short-circuitdetection terminal can be structured to be an annular terminal aroundsaid certain connecting terminal. FIG. 2a schematically shows structureof the ink cartridge chip according to the present embodiment, and FIG.2b schematically shows an enlarged view of structure of theshort-circuit detection terminal in FIG. 2a . As shown in FIGS. 2a and2b , the short-circuit detection terminal 301 a is in an annular shape,and is arranged around the connecting terminal 250 at a preset distancefrom outside. To arrange the short-circuit detection terminal 301 aaround the connecting terminal 250 is a preferred example for detectingpresence of a short circuit in each direction of said certain connectingterminal.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the short-circuit detection terminal is not limited to one,and it can be a pair of high-voltage detection connecting terminals, orbe arranged accordingly in one or more pairs around any one or more ofthe connecting terminals, detecting presence of a short circuit betweeneach of the connecting terminals and other terminals based on thepotential difference of a corresponding pair of short-circuit detectionterminals. In addition, the short-circuit detection terminals can alsobe linear terminals arranged along a direction of a straight or arc lineconnecting the connecting terminal to be detected and other connectingterminals. The linear terminals can be arc terminals as shown in FIG. 1cor annular terminals as shown in FIG. 2a , and can be arranged in otherregular or irregular shapes. The method and short-circuit detectionmethod of chip provided in the present embodiment is not limited to theaforesaid chips.

The present embodiment further provides an ink cartridge which includesthe ink cartridge chip provided in any of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The present embodiment further provides a recording device whichcomprises a body and the aforesaid ink cartridge. The body of therecording device is provided with device-side terminals which are incontact connection to the connecting terminals in a one-to-onecorrespondence manner when the ink cartridge is mounted to the recordingdevice.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, on the premisethat the chip is in good contact with the printer, the connectingterminals on the chip can be structured in other shapes or be arrangedin other forms. As shown in FIG. 3a , the connecting terminals 510-590are arranged in one line, and as shown in FIG. 3b , the connectingterminals 610-690 are arranged in irregular forms. The detectionterminal group is not shown in FIGS. 3a and 3 b.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 4a schematically shows a front view of structure of a chipaccording to the present embodiment; FIG. 4b schematically shows a sideview of structure of the chip according to the present embodiment; andFIG. 4c schematically shows structure of a circuit of the chip accordingto the present embodiment.

The present embodiment provides a chip. As shown in FIG. 4b , the chipcomprises a circuit board 701, a storage unit 702, and a secondelectrical element 703. The circuit board 701 is provided thereon withtwo rows of connecting terminals, preferably. The storage unit 702 isused for storing information about the ink cartridge. The secondelectrical element 703 may also be provided on the ink cartridge onwhich the chip is arranged. The second electrical element 703 may be apiezoelectric sensor, or a resistor element.

As shown in FIG. 4a , the connecting terminals on the circuit board 701of the chip are arranged in two lines, and respectively are connectingterminals 710-720 in the upper row and connecting terminals 730-770 inthe lower row, the connecting terminals in the upper row and theconnecting terminals in the lower row being arranged in a staggermanner. The connecting terminals 710, 720, and 740-760 are connected tothe storage unit 702 respectively, and are referred to as low-voltageconnecting terminals. The connecting terminals 730 and 770 arerespectively connected to the second electrical element 703, and arereferred to as high-voltage connecting terminals.

As shown in FIG. 4c , a short-circuit detection terminal 301 b isarranged between a connecting terminal 730 to be detected and one ormore other connecting terminals (e.g., the connecting terminal 740).

A voltage division and power supply unit 403 is electrically connectedto the short-circuit detection terminal 301 b and the connectingterminal 730 respectively, and divides voltage and supplies powerthrough a voltage division circuit formed by a resistor and otherelements.

A short-circuit detection and processing unit 402 is electricallyconnected to the short-circuit detection terminal 301 b and theconnecting terminal 730 to be detected, so as to judge presence of ashort circuit between the connecting terminal 730 and other connectingterminals (herein taking the connecting terminal 740 as an example)based on voltage difference on the short-circuit detection terminal 301b and the connecting terminal 730 to be detected. The connectingterminal 740 is connected in series to the storage unit 702 through theshort-circuit detection and processing unit 402. When the short circuitis determined, the short-circuit detection and processing unit 402 cutsoff the electric connection between the connecting terminal 740 and thestorage unit 702 so as to execute short-circuit abnormality processing.

The short-circuit detection and processing unit 402 further judgespresence of short circuits among the connecting terminals of the inkcartridge chip by a field-effect transistor or a triode. Besides, theshort-circuit detection and processing unit 402 may execute theshort-circuit abnormality processing by using a field-effect transistor,a controllable switch, or a self-recovery fuse wire.

In the present embodiment, the short-circuit detection and processingunit is preferably connected between the low-voltage connecting terminaland the storage unit. In this manner, when a short circuit isdetermined, a signal channel between the connecting terminal and thestorage unit can be cut off, thereby preventing the storage unit frombeing applied a high-voltage signal, and thus protecting the storageunit and the ink cartridge.

In the present embodiment, the voltage division and power supply unit403 divides a voltage of 36V applied on the connecting terminal 730,obtaining a low voltage ranging within 0V-32V, and then transmits thelow voltage to the short-circuit detection terminal 301 b so as tosupply power to the short-circuit detection terminal 301 b and theshort-circuit detection and processing unit 402. The short-circuitdetection and processing unit 402 judges presence of a short circuitbetween the short-circuit detection terminal 301 b and the connectingterminal 730 based on the potential difference of the short-circuitdetection terminal 301 b and the connecting terminal 730, and executesthe short-circuit abnormality processing if the short circuit isdetermined. Specifically, the short-circuit abnormality processing maybe executed as follows. The connecting terminal 740 is disconnected fromthe storage unit 702, and the signal channel between the connectingterminal and the storage unit is cut off so that the printer cannotreceive a normal response signal and thus produce an error report. Theshort-circuit abnormality processing may also be sending a “shortcircuit signal” to the printer so as to warn the printer to executerelated processing. The “short circuit signal” may be signals such as an“error report” or a “short circuit message” recognizable to the printer.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the short-circuit detection terminal is not limited to one,and it can be a pair of high-voltage detection connecting terminals, andcan be accordingly arranged in one or more pairs around any one or moreof the connecting terminals of the chip, for detecting presence of shortcircuits among other connecting terminals. The short-circuit detectionterminals can be arranged in an annular shape or in other regular orirregular shapes. The method and short-circuit detection method of chipprovided in the present embodiment is not limited to the aforesaid chip,ink cartridge, and recording device, but is also applicable to othertypes of chips, image cartridges, and recording devices.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 5 schematically shows structure of circuits of a short-circuitdetection device of chip according to the present embodiment. The twocircuits respectively show circuit structure of a short-circuitdetection and processing unit and circuit structure of a voltagedivision and power supply unit. One skilled person in the art shouldunderstand that said short-circuit detection device of chip can beformed of a hardware circuit.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the circuit, a terminal D is a short-circuitdetection terminal (which may corresponds to the terminals 301 and 301 bin the preceding embodiments), and a terminal C is a connecting terminalto be detected (which may corresponds to the connecting terminals 250and 730 to be detected in the preceding embodiments). A and B arerespectively other terminals or elements other than the terminals D andC on a chip on which a short-circuit detection and processing unit isprovided. For example, A and B may respectively be two connectingterminals (which may correspond to the connecting terminals 210 and 240in the preceding embodiments) other than the connecting terminal to bedetected, or a connecting terminal other than the connecting terminal tobe detected and a storage unit on the circuit of the chip (which maycorrespond to the connecting terminal 740 and storage unit 702 in thepreceding embodiments).

The short-circuit detection and processing unit comprises a detectionunit and a controllable switch. The controllable switch comprises afirst field-effect transistor K1 which is connected to A and Brespectively at an input end and an output end. A control end of thefirst field-effect transistor is connected to the ground through aresistance-capacitance circuit formed by a first resistor R1 and a firstcapacitor C1. The detection unit comprises a second field-effecttransistor K2 which is connected to the short-circuit detection terminalD at a control end thereof, to the connecting terminal C at an input endthereof, and to the control end of the first field-effect transistor K1and the resistance-capacitance circuit at an output end thereof.

A voltage division and power supply unit comprises a parallel circuitformed by a third resistor R3 and a second capacitor C2. The parallelcircuit is connected to the ground at one end thereof, and to a secondresistor R2 and the short-circuit detection terminal D respectively atthe other end thereof. The second resistor R2 is connected to theconnecting terminal C.

In the present embodiment, the first field-effect transistor K1 can beformed of NMOS (namely an N-type field-effect transistor), and thesecond field-effect transistor K2 can be formed of PMOS (namely a P-typefield-effect transistor). As shown in FIG. 5, the voltage division andpower supply unit divides a voltage Vsense applied on the connectingterminal C to be detected to obtain a low voltage Vsense_fill1, andsupplies the low voltage Vsense_fill1 to the short-circuit detectionterminal D, thereby supplying power to the short-circuit detectionterminal D and the short-circuit detection and processing unit. In theabsence of a short circuit on the chip, the potential of Vsense of theconnecting terminal C is higher than the potential of Vsense_fill1 ofthe short-circuit detection terminal D; the second field-effecttransistor K2 is in the conducting state; the short-circuit detectionand processing unit does not detect occurrence of a short circuit; theinput end and the output end of the first field-effect transistor K1 areelectrically connected, i.e., the two installation detection connectingterminals A and B are connected to each other through the firstfield-effect transistor K1; and the chip works normally.

When a short circuit occurs on the short-circuit detection terminal D,i.e., when the connecting terminal C is shorted with the short-circuitdetection terminal D, the potential of Vsense of the connecting terminalC is equal to the potential of Vsense_fill1 of the short-circuitdetection terminal D; the second field-effect transistor K2 is in thecut-off state; the short-circuit detection and processing unit detectsoccurrence of the short circuit; the input end and the output end of thefirst field-effect transistor K1 are disconnected from each other; andobviously, the connecting terminals A and B are not connected to eachother, thereby causing the printer to produce an error report to warn auser to check the ink cartridge.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the field-effect transistors can also be substituted withother switching elements such as triodes, self-recovery fuse wires,relays, or others, as long as the circuit between the connectingterminals can be controlled to be cut off.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the short-circuit detection and processing unit and thevoltage division and power supply unit can be integrated into one unitmodule or into one circuit, and that unit modules or circuits havingsimilar functions are all applicable to the present embodiment.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 7 schematically shows structure of a circuit of applying anothershort-circuit detection device of chip provided by the presentembodiment to the nine-contact chip provided in embodiment 1. For easeof illustration, in the present embodiment, elements being the same orcorresponding to those in embodiment 1 will be indicated with samereference signs as in embodiment 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, provided are two chipshort-circuit detection terminals, which are short-circuit detectionterminals 301 c and 301 d respectively. The terminals 301 c and 301 deach are entirely or partially disposed between a connecting terminal tobe detected (the present embodiment takes connecting terminal 250 as anexample) among a plurality of connecting terminals and one or more otherconnecting terminals. The short-circuit detection terminal 301 d isarranged near the short-circuit detection terminals 301 c at a presetdistance. In the present embodiment, the connecting terminal 250 istaken as the connecting terminal to be detected (to make the figuresbrief, the reference signs of each of the connecting terminals are shownin FIG. 1c ).

A short-circuit detection and processing unit 302 is respectivelyconnected to the short-circuit detection terminals 301 c and 301 d(respectively corresponding to a first short-circuit detection terminaland a second short-circuit detection terminal), and judges presence of ashort circuit by comparing a voltage on the short-circuit detectionterminal 301 c and a voltage on the short-circuit detection terminal 301d, and is in series connection between connecting terminals 210 and 240,for executing short-circuit abnormality processing. The short-circuitdetection and processing unit can execute short circuit detection byusing a field-effect transistor or a triode, and execute theshort-circuit abnormality processing by using a field-effect transistor,a controllable switch, or a self-recovery fuse wire.

The figures only show an example in which only two short-circuitdetection terminals are provided. One skilled person in the art shouldunderstand that there can be two or more than two short-circuitdetection terminals. In this case, the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit is further electrically connected to the two or morethan two short-circuit detection terminals, and judges presence of ashort circuit between the connecting terminals on the ink cartridge chipby comparing the voltages on the two or more than two short-circuitdetection terminals. For example, it is judged whether a potentialdifference between or among the two or more than two short-circuitdetection terminals is less than or equal to a predetermined value, andif yes, it is determined that a short circuit is present between theconnecting terminals of the ink cartridge chip.

A voltage division and power supply unit 303 is respectively connectedto each of the short-circuit detection terminals 301 c and 301 d and theconnecting terminal 250 to be detected, and supplies, through a voltagedivision circuit formed by a resistor or other elements, each of lowvoltages obtained through dividing a voltage applied on the connectingterminal 250 to be detected step-by-step to each of the short-circuitdetection terminals 301 c and 301 d and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the voltage division and power supply unitdivides a voltage of 42V applied on the connecting terminal 250 toobtain two low voltages ranging within 0V-38V and having a differencetherebetween larger than or equal to 4V, and supplies the two lowvoltages to the corresponding short-circuit detection terminals 301 cand 301 d respectively, thereby supplying power to the short-circuitdetection terminals 301 c and 301 d and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit.

The short-circuit detection and processing unit judges presence of ashort circuit between the short-circuit detection terminals 301 c and301 d based on the potential difference on the short-circuit detectionterminals 301 c and 301 d, and determines that the short circuit ispresent when the potentials on the short-circuit detection terminals 301c and 301 d are equal to each other, and then executes the short-circuitabnormality processing.

Specifically, the short-circuit abnormality processing can be executedas follows. The connecting terminals 210 and 240 are disconnected fromeach other, which will cause the ink cartridge to return an abnormalresponse during installation detection because the connecting terminals210 and 240 are installation detection connecting terminals, therebyprompting the printer to produce an error report. The short-circuitabnormality processing can also be sending a “short circuit signal” tothe printer, for warning the printer to perform related processing. Theshort circuit signal may be signals such as an “error report” or a“short circuit message” recognizable to the printer.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the short-circuit detection terminals can be arranged in anannular shape or in other regular or irregular shapes. The method andshort-circuit detection method of chip provided in the presentembodiment is not limited to aforesaid chips, ink cartridges, andrecording devices, but is also applicable to other types of chips, imagecartridges, and recording devices.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 8 schematically shows structure of a circuit of applying anothershort-circuit detection device of chip provided by the presentembodiment to the seven-contact chip provided by embodiment 2. In thepresent embodiment, a connecting terminal 730 is taken as a connectingterminal to be detected (to make the figures brief, the reference signsof each of the connecting terminals are shown in FIG. 4c ). In thepresent embodiment, when a short-circuit detection and processing unitdetermines that voltages on two short-circuit detection terminals (301f, 301 e) are equal, it is determined that a short circuit is presentbetween the connecting terminals of the ink cartridge chip, which willbe described in detail as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, two short-circuitdetection terminals are provided. A short-circuit detection terminal 301f is arranged near the short-circuit detection terminal 301 e at apreset distance, and both of the short-circuit detection terminals 301 eand 301 f are entirely or partially disposed between a connectingterminal 730 to be detected and one or more other connecting terminalson the circuit board 201.

A short-circuit detection and processing unit is respectively connectedto the short-circuit detection terminals 301 e and 301 f, for detectingpresence of a short circuit, and is in series connection between aconnecting terminal 740 and a storage unit 702, for executingshort-circuit abnormality processing. The short-circuit detection andprocessing unit can execute short circuit detection by using afield-effect transistor or a triode, and execute short-circuitabnormality processing by using a field-effect transistor, acontrollable switch, or a self-recovery fuse wire.

A voltage division and power supply unit is respectively connected tothe short-circuit detection terminals 301 e and 301 f and the connectingterminal 730, and divides a voltage and supplies power through a voltagedivision circuit formed by a resistor and other elements.

The voltage division and power supply unit in the present embodiment ispreferably connected to a low-voltage connecting terminal and a storageunit. In this manner, when a short circuit is determined, a signalchannel between the connecting terminal and the storage unit can be cutoff, thereby preventing the storage unit from being applied ahigh-voltage signal, and thus protecting the storage unit and the inkcartridge.

In the present embodiment, the voltage division and power supply unitdivides a voltage of 36V applied on the connecting terminal 730 toobtain two low voltages ranging within 0V-32V and having a voltagedifference therebetween not lower than 4V, and then transmits the twolow voltages respectively to the corresponding short-circuit detectionterminals 301 e and 301 f, so as to supply power to the short-circuitdetection terminals 301 e and 301 f and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit. The short-circuit detection and processing unit judgespresence of the short circuit between the short-circuit detectionterminals 301 e and 301 f based on the potential difference of theshort-circuit detection terminals 301 e and 301 f, and determines that ashort circuit is present when the potentials of the short-circuitdetection terminals 301 e and 301 f are equal, and then executesshort-circuit abnormality processing. Specifically, the short-circuitabnormality processing may be as follows. The connecting terminal 740 isdisconnected from the storage unit 702, and the signal channel betweenthe connecting terminal and the storage unit is cut off so that theprinter cannot receive a normal response signal and thus produce anerror report. The short-circuit abnormality processing may also besending a “short circuit signal” to the printer so as to warn theprinter to execute related processing. The “short circuit signal” may besignals such as an “error report” or a “short circuit message”recognizable to the printer.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the short-circuit detection terminals can be arranged in anannular shape or in other regular or irregular shapes. The method andshort-circuit detection method of chip provided in the presentembodiment is not limited to aforesaid chips, ink cartridges, andrecording devices, but is also applicable to other types of chips, imagecartridges, and recording devices.

Similarly, when more than two short-circuit detection terminals areprovided, the short-circuit detection and processing unit can judgewhether potentials of said more than two short-circuit detectionterminals are equal to one another or not, and if yes, it is determinedthat a short circuit is present between the connecting terminals of thechip.

Embodiment 6

FIG. 6 schematically shows structure of a circuit of anothershort-circuit detection device of chip according to the presentembodiment. The two circuits respectively show circuit structure of ashort-circuit detection and processing unit and circuit structure of avoltage division and power supply unit. One skilled person in the artshould understand that said short-circuit detection device of chip canbe formed of a hardware circuit.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the circuit, a terminal D is a firstshort-circuit detection terminal, and a terminal E is a secondshort-circuit detection terminal, and a terminal C is a connectingterminal to be detected. The terminal D and the terminal E maycorrespond respectively to the terminals 301 c and 301 d in FIG. 7, orto the short-circuit detection terminals 301 e and 301 f in FIG. 8. Theterminal C may correspond to the connecting terminal 250 to be detectedin FIG. 7, or to the connecting terminal 730 to be detected in FIG. 8. Ashort-circuit detection and processing unit comprises a detection unitand a controllable switch. The controllable switch comprises a firstfield-effect transistor K1 which is connected between A and B at aninput end and an output end thereof. A and B respectively are otherterminals of the chip controlled by the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit (e.g., the connecting terminals 210 and 240 in FIG. 7),or a connecting terminal and a storage unit controlled by theshort-circuit detection and processing unit (e.g., the connectingterminal 740 and the storage unit 202 in FIG. 8). More specifically, thefirst field-effect transistor K1 may be connected to two connectingterminals other than the connecting terminal to be detected at the inputend and the output end thereof, or to a connecting terminal other thanthe connecting terminal to be detected and the storage unit. Thedetection unit comprises a second field-effect transistor K2 which isconnected to the short-circuit detection terminal E at a control endthereof, and to the connecting terminal D at an input end thereof. Acontrol end of the first field-effect transistor K1 is connected toground through a parallel circuit formed by a first resistor R1 and afirst capacitor C1. The second field-effect transistor K2 is connectedto the control end of the first field-effect transistor K1 at an outputend thereof, and to a resistance-capacitance circuit formed by theparallel circuit constituted by the first resistor R1 and the firstcapacitor C1.

A voltage division and power supply unit comprises a first voltagedivision circuit and a second voltage division circuit which each areformed by a resistance-capacitance circuit or one or more resistors orother elements as long as they can function to divide a voltage. Thefirst voltage division circuit divides a voltage from the connectingterminal to be detected, and supplies an obtained first low voltage tothe first short-circuit detection terminal and the short-circuitdetection and processing unit. The second voltage division circuitdivides the voltage from the connecting terminal to be detected, andsupplies an obtained second low voltage to the second short-circuitdetection terminal and the short-circuit detection and processing unit.

For example, the first voltage division circuit may comprise a resistorR12, and a first resistance-capacitance circuit formed by a resistor R13and a capacitor C12. The second voltage division circuit may compriseresistors R22 and R25, and a second resistance-capacitance circuitformed by a resistor R24 and a capacitor C23. The resistors R13 and R24can have a same resistance. The capacitors C12 and C23 can be a samecapacitor element. The resistors R12 and R22 can have a same ordifferent resistance. The resistance of the resistors R12, R13, and R25,R22, R24 is in such a proportion that a voltage difference between thetwo low voltages obtained through the voltage division is not lower than4V. The first resistance-capacitance circuit of the first voltagedivision circuit is connected to ground at one end thereof, and to theresistor R12 and the short-circuit detection terminal D respectively atthe other end thereof. The second resistance-capacitance circuit of thesecond voltage division circuit is connected to ground at one endthereof, and to the resistor R22 and the short-circuit detectionterminal E respectively at the other end thereof. The resistors R22 andR12 can have a same resistance. The resistor R22 is connected to theconnecting terminal C to be detected through a resistor R25.

In the present embodiment, the first field-effect transistor K1 can beformed of NMOS (namely an N-type field-effect transistor), and thesecond field-effect transistor K2 can be formed of PMOS (namely a P-typefield-effect transistor). As shown in FIG. 6, the voltage division andpower supply unit divides a voltage Vsense applied on the connectingterminal C to be detected to obtain two low voltages Vsense_fill1 andVsense_fill2, and supplies the low voltage Vsense_fill1 to theshort-circuit detection terminal D, thereby supplying power to theshort-circuit detection terminal D and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit, and supplies the low voltage Vsense_fill2 to theshort-circuit detection terminal E, thereby supplying power to theshort-circuit detection terminal E and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit. In the absence of a short circuit on the chip, thepotential of Vsense_fill1 of the short-circuit detection terminal D ishigher than the potential of Vsense_fill2 of the short-circuit detectionterminal E; the second field-effect transistor K2 is in a conductingstate; the short-circuit detection and processing unit does not detectoccurrence of a short circuit; the input end and the output end of thefirst field-effect transistor K1 are electrically connected, i.e., thetwo installation detection connecting terminals A and B are connected toeach other through the first field-effect transistor K1; and the chipworks normally.

When a short circuit occurs on the short-circuit detection terminal Dand E, i.e., when the connecting terminal D is shorted with theshort-circuit detection terminal E, the potential of Vsense_fill1 of theshort-circuit detection terminal D and the potential of Vsense_fill2 ofthe short-circuit detection terminal E are equal to each other; thesecond field-effect transistor K2 is in a cut-off state; theshort-circuit detection and processing unit detects the occurrence ofthe short circuit; the input end and the output end of the firstfield-effect transistor K1 are disconnected from each other; andobviously, the connecting terminals A and B are not connected to eachother, thereby causing the printer to produce an error report to warn auser to check the ink cartridge.

One skilled person in the art should understand that, in the presentembodiment, the field-effect transistors can also be substituted withother switching elements such as triodes, self-recovery fuse wires,relays, or others as long as the circuit between the connectingterminals can be controlled to be cut off. A series resistor formed by afourth resistor and a second resistor can also be substituted with aresistor with a same resistance.

Embodiment 7

A short-circuit detection and processing unit of a short-circuitdetection device of chip provided by the present embodiment is avariation of the short-circuit detection and processing unit of theshort-circuit detection device of chip provided by the embodiment 3.

FIG. 9 schematically shows structure of a circuit of a short-circuitdetection and processing unit of a short-circuit detection device ofchip provided by the present embodiment. The circuit of theshort-circuit detection and processing unit provided by the presentembodiment and shown in FIG. 9 differs from that of the short-circuitdetection and processing unit provided by embodiment 3 and shown in FIG.5 in the connection approach of the first filed-effect transistor K1. Inthe present embodiment, the first filed-effect transistor K1 isconnected to terminals A and B at an input end thereof, and to theground at an output end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the short-circuit detection and processing unit,the terminals A and B are other terminals or electrical elements of achip which is in series connection to the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit. The first filed-effect transistor K1 is connected tothe terminals A and B at the input end thereof, to the ground at theoutput end thereof, and to the ground at a control end thereof through aparallel circuit formed by a first resistor R1 and a first capacitor C1.Other parts of the circuit of the short-circuit detection and processingunit is the same as that of the short-circuit detection and processingunit provided by embodiment 3 and shown in FIG. 5, or provided byembodiment 6 and shown in FIG. 6.

A voltage division and power supply unit of the short-circuit detectiondevice of chip provided by the present embodiment can be the voltagedivision and power supply unit of the short-circuit detection device ofchip provided by embodiment 3.

One skilled in the art should understand that said short-circuitdetection device of chip can be formed of a hardware circuit.

In the present embodiment, the first field-effect transistor K1 and thesecond field-effect transistor K2 can be formed of PMOS (namely a P-typefield-effect transistor). A voltage on a connecting terminal C is markedas Vsense, and a voltage on a connecting terminal D is marked asVsense_fill1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the voltage on the connecting terminal C is Vsense,and the voltage on the connecting terminal D is Vsense_fill1. In theabsence of a short circuit on the chip, i.e., when the connectingterminal C is not shorted with the short-circuit detection terminal D,the potential of Vsense of the connecting terminal C is higher than thepotential of Vsense_fill1 of the short-circuit detection terminal D; thesecond field-effect transistor K2 is in a conducting state; theshort-circuit detection and processing unit does not detect occurrenceof a short circuit; the second field-effect transistor K2 connects ahigh voltage on the connecting terminal C with the control end of thefirst field-effect transistor K1; the input end and the output end ofthe first field-effect transistor K1 are disconnected from each other,i.e., the two terminals A and B are not connected to the ground throughthe first field-effect transistor K1 to decrease the voltage; andconsequently, the chip works normally.

When a short circuit occurs on the chip, i.e., when the connectingterminal C is shorted with the short-circuit detection terminal D, thepotential Vsense of the connecting terminal C is equal to the potentialVsense_fill1 of the short-circuit detection terminal D; the secondfield-effect transistor K2 is in a cut-off state; the short-circuitdetection and processing unit determines that the short circuit ispresent and executes short-circuit abnormality processing; the secondfield-effect transistor K2 does not connect the high voltage on theconnecting terminal C with the control end of the first field-effecttransistor K1; the input end and the output end of the firstfield-effect transistor K1 are electrically connected to each other,i.e., the two terminals A and B are connected to the ground through thefirst field-effect transistor K1 so that the voltage is decreased,thereby causing the printer to produce an error report.

One skilled in the art should understand that the short-circuitdetection and processing unit provided by the present embodiment is alsoapplicable to the short-circuit detection device of chip provided byembodiment 6 of the present disclosure.

One skilled in the art should understand that, when the short-circuitdetection and processing unit executes the short-circuit abnormalityprocessing, the two terminals A and B are connected to the groundthrough the first field-effect transistor K1 so that potentials of theterminals A and B are decreased, thereby preventing the chip from beingdamaged due to a high voltage caused by the short circuit between theconnecting terminal C and terminal A or terminal B, and thus causing theprinter to produce an error report through decreasing a potential of aconducting circuit. In the present embodiment, to connect the twoterminals A and B with the ground is not a necessary technical means,and there can be other technical means as long as they can decrease thepotential to prevent the chip from being damaged and cause the printerto produce an error report.

One skilled in the art should understand that, the electricalconnections among the voltage division and power supply unit, theshort-circuit detection and processing unit, and the short-circuitdetection terminal are not limited to the connection approaches asprovided in embodiments 1 to 7. The voltage division and power supplyunit may also be directly connected to the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit so as to supply power to the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit. The short-circuit detection terminal can be connectedto the voltage division and power supply unit or the short-circuitdetection and processing unit, and is arranged as such that occurrenceof a short circuit on the short-circuit detection terminal and theconnecting terminal to be detected will affect the work of theshort-circuit detection and processing unit or the power supply by thevoltage division and power supply unit, so that the short-circuitdetection and processing unit can detect the short circuit and executeshort-circuit abnormality processing.

According to the connection approaches provided by embodiments 1 to 7,the voltage division and power supply unit is connected to theshort-circuit detection terminal and the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit, so as to supply power not only to the short-circuitdetection terminal, but also to the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit through voltage division, thereby finishing theshort-circuit detection of chip.

In addition, structure of the circuit as shown in FIG. 11 issubstantially the same as that of the circuit in FIG. 6. But in thecircuit as shown in FIG. 11, the terminals D and E of the voltagedivision and power supply unit are connected to the terminals D and E ofthe short-circuit detection and processing unit, for supplying power tothe short-circuit detection and processing unit. The first short-circuitdetection terminal is disposed on the terminal C, and the secondshort-circuit detection terminal is disposed on the terminal F which isbetween the resistors R25 and R22. The resistors R12 and R22 are thesame, and R13, R24 are the same. The capacitors C12 and C23 are thesame. When short circuits occur on the two short-circuit detectionterminals, the two divided voltages Vsense_fill1 and Vsense_fill2 areequal to each other; the second filed-effect transistor K2 is cut-off;the short-circuit detection and processing unit detects occurrence ofthe short circuit, and executes the short-circuit abnormalityprocessing; the first filed-effect transistor K1 is cut-off; andterminals A and B are disconnected from each other. In the circuit asshown in FIG. 11, the short-circuit detection terminal is connected tothe voltage division and power supply unit, and occurrence of the shortcircuit between the short-circuit detection terminal and the connectingterminal to be detected will affect the power supply by the voltagedivision and power supply unit, so that the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit can detect the short circuit and execute theshort-circuit abnormality processing.

Besides, the short-circuit detection terminal can be directly connectedto the short-circuit detection and processing unit. The voltage divisionand power supply unit supplies power to the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit, so that the short-circuit detection and processing unitcan work normally. The short circuit of the short-circuit detectionterminal can affect the work of the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit, and therefore can be detected by the short-circuitdetection and processing unit, and then the short-circuit detection andprocessing unit executes the short-circuit abnormality processing.

Embodiment 8

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a short-circuit detection method of chipprovided by the present embodiment. The method can be implemented basedon the chip provided by the preceding embodiments. The chip is providedthereon with at least two connecting terminals, including a low-voltageconnecting terminal and a high-voltage connecting terminal. The chipcomprises a short-circuit detection device of chip which comprises oneor more short-circuit detection terminals, a short-circuit detection andprocessing unit, and a voltage division and power supply unit. Thefunctions of the elements and connections among them have been describedin detail in the preceding embodiment, and therefore will not bedescribed again.

The short-circuit detection method of chip comprises the followingsteps.

In step S810, a voltage applied on a connecting terminal to be detectedis divided to obtain one or more low voltages, and the low voltage istransmitted to the short-circuit detection and processing unit.

Step S810 is able to achieve a low-cost and long-term use method ofshort-circuit detection method of chip. Further, the short-circuitdetection of chip can be executed through steps S820 and S830.

In step S820, presence of a short circuit between the short-circuitdetection terminal and the connecting terminal is judged by detectingpotential difference of the short-circuit detection terminal and theconnecting terminal to be detected, or by detecting potential differenceof two or more than two of the short-circuit detection terminals.

In step S830, if the short circuit between the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal is determined, short-circuitabnormality processing will be executed.

According to the chips provided by the preceding claims 1 and 4, the inkcartridge is provided with two types of electrical elements, which arethe first electrical element and the second electrical element,respectively. A driving voltage of the first electrical element is lowerthan that of the second electrical element. Two types of connectingterminals are provided, and the two types of connecting terminals arelow-voltage connecting terminals connected to the first electricalelement, and high-voltage connecting terminals connected to the secondelectrical element, respectively. The short-circuit detection terminalis disposed between a first connecting terminal and a second connectingterminal. Two connecting terminals are provided. A controllable switchis in series connection between two installation detection connectingterminals of the first type. When the short circuit between theshort-circuit detection terminal and the connecting terminal isdetermined, short-circuit abnormality processing as follows will beexecuted: When it is detected that a short circuit is present betweenthe short-circuit detection terminal and the connecting terminal, thecontrollable switch is switched off so as to change an installationsignal transmitted by the installation detection connecting terminal tothe body of the recording device.

According to the chips provided by the preceding claims 2 and 5, the inkcartridge is provided with two types of electrical elements, which arethe first electrical element and the second electrical element,respectively. The driving voltage of the first electrical element islower than that of the second electrical element. Two types ofconnecting terminals are provided, and the two types of connectingterminals are the low-voltage connecting terminals connected to thefirst electrical element, and the high-voltage connecting terminalsconnected to the second electrical element, respectively. Theshort-circuit detection terminal is disposed between the firstconnecting terminal and the second connecting terminal. At least twoconnecting terminals are provided. The controllable switch is in seriesconnection between the low-voltage connecting terminal and the storageunit. When the short circuit between the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal is determined, the short-circuitabnormality processing as follows will be executed: When it is detectedthat a short circuit is present between the short-circuit detectionterminal and the connecting terminal, the controllable switch isswitched off so as to change the connection state of the storage unit.

When it is detected that a short circuit is present between theshort-circuit detection terminal and the connecting terminal, approachesof executing the short-circuit abnormality processing are not limited tothe above preferred ones. For example, when the short circuit betweenthe short-circuit detection terminal and the connecting terminal isdetermined, a detection result or a signal indicating the error can besent to the body of the recording device by means of the connectingterminal, or a signal transmission channel between the chip and the bodyof the recording device can be cut off.

Obviously, by adopting the technical solutions provided by theembodiments of the present disclosure, short circuit can be detectedautomatically by the ink cartridge chip side once the ink cartridge ismounted into the recording device, which reduces the possibility thatthe storage unit in the ink cartridge has already been damaged when theshort circuit is detected by the recording device. Besides, forrecording devices that are not provided with a short-circuit detectioncircuit, the safety factor of using the ink cartridge is also increased.Moreover, compared with supply power by the battery to the short-circuitdetection circuit according to the existing technologies, to dividevoltage by the voltage division and power supply unit and then transmitthe obtained low voltage to the short-circuit detection and processingunit is able to effectively reduce the cost, solve the problem that theshort circuit detection cannot be performed after the battery runs out,and enables the chip to be used for a long time, and therefore, is moredurable.

One skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of theabove methods can be implemented completely or partially by hardwarerelated to programs and instructions. Said programs can be stored in areadable storage media of a computer, and can be executed based on thesteps of the methods provided in the above embodiments. Said storagemedia may be media such as ROM, RAM, diskette, or disks which can storeprogram codes.

It should be noted that the embodiments above are intended only forillustrating, rather than restricting the technical solutions of thepresent disclosure. The present disclosure are described in detail withreference to the above embodiments, but it should be noted that anyoneskilled in the art can make amendments to the technical solutionsdescribed in the above embodiment, or substitute these technicalfeatures partly or completely with equivalents thereof, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The above embodiments are disclosed only for better illustrating, ratherthan restricting the present disclosure. Anyone skilled in the art canmake amendments to the implementing forms or details without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of thepresent disclosure should still be subject to the scope defined in theclaims.

1. An ink cartridge chip, detachably mounted on an ink cartridge andcomprising: a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is provided withat least three connecting terminals in contact connection withdevice-side terminals of a recording device when the ink cartridge chipis mounted to the recording device, the at least three connectingterminals comprise at least one first connecting terminal connected witha storage element provided on the circuit board, at least one secondconnecting terminal applied with a high drive voltage, and at least oneinstallation detecting connecting terminal for detecting the inkcartridge mounting condition by the recording device; and at least onedetecting terminal, arranged between the at least one second connectingterminal and the at least one installation detecting connectingterminal, configured to detect short circuit occurs between the at leastone detecting terminal and the at least one installation detectingconnecting terminal or the at least one second connecting terminal. 2.The ink cartridge chip according to claim 1, further comprising ashort-circuit detection and processing unit: electrically connected withthe at least one detecting terminal and/or the at least one installationdetecting connecting terminal, configured to judge whether short circuitoccurs between the at least one detecting terminal and the at least oneinstallation detecting connecting terminal according to a change in anelectrical signal of the at least one detecting terminal and/or the atleast one installation detecting connecting terminal; or electricallyconnected with the at least one detecting terminal and/or the at leastone second connecting terminal, configured to judge whether shortcircuit occurs between the at least one detecting terminal and the atleast one second connecting terminal according to a change in anelectrical signal of the at least one detecting terminal and/or the atleast one second connecting terminal, wherein short-circuit abnormalityprocessing is executed if a short circuit is determined.
 3. The inkcartridge chip according to claim 2, further comprising: a voltagedivision and power supply unit connected with the short-circuitdetection and processing unit and at least one second connectingterminal for dividing a voltage from at least one second connectingterminal and transmitting an obtained low voltage to the short-circuitdetection and processing unit.
 4. The ink cartridge chip according toclaim 2, wherein: the short-circuit detection and processing unit causesthe recording device to prompt an error when short circuit is detected.5. The ink cartridge chip according to claim 1, wherein: the at leastone detecting terminal has no voltage or has a fixed voltage value in aninitial state.
 6. The ink cartridge chip according to claim 1, wherein:the at least one detecting terminal is annular in shape, surrounding anexternal side of the at least one second connecting terminal, andmaintaining a predetermined interval from the at least one secondconnecting terminal.
 7. The ink cartridge chip according to claim 1,wherein: the at least one detecting terminal has a curved shape.
 8. Theink cartridge chip according to claim 2, wherein: a number of theinstallation detecting connecting terminals is two, the short-circuitdetection and processing unit is connected in series between the twoinstallation detecting connecting terminals, to connect the twoinstallation detection connecting terminals to the ground, when a shortcircuit is determined.
 9. An ink cartridge, comprising an ink cartridgebody and an electrical component, further comprising the ink cartridgechip according to claim 1, wherein the electrical component is arrangedon the circuit board of the ink cartridge chip and/or the ink cartridgebody.
 10. An ink cartridge chip, detachably mounted on an ink cartridgeand comprising a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is providedwith at least two connecting terminals in contact connection withdevice-side terminals of a recording device body, the ink cartridge chipfurther comprising: a detecting terminal provided on the circuit board,and arranged adjacent to and spaced apart from the connecting terminalat a predetermined interval, the detecting terminal has no voltage orhas a fixed voltage value in the initial state; and a short-circuitdetection and processing unit electrically connected with the detectingterminal, configured to judge whether short circuit occurs between thedetecting terminal and the connecting terminal according to a change inan electrical signal of the detecting terminal, wherein a short-circuitabnormality processing is executed when short circuit is detected. 11.The ink cartridge chip according to claim 10, wherein: the detectingterminal is arranged between the two connecting terminals, and maintainsa predetermined interval from the two connecting terminals,respectively.
 12. The ink cartridge chip according to claim 11, wherein:the short-circuit detection and processing unit judges short circuitoccurs between the detecting terminal and the connecting terminalaccording to the detecting terminal is applied with a certain voltage orchange of the fixed voltage value.
 13. The ink cartridge chip accordingto claim 12, wherein: when short circuit is detected, the short-circuitdetection and processing unit executes a short-circuit abnormalityprocessing to cause the printer to prompt an error.
 14. An inkcartridge, comprising an ink cartridge body and an electrical component,further comprising the ink cartridge chip according to claim 10, whereinthe electrical component is arranged on the circuit board of the inkcartridge chip and/or the ink cartridge body.